As they made their way back up to the castle, Maddison and Mason walked hand in hand, their steps slow and measured. The air around them was thick with a palpable silence that neither of them seemed inclined to break. Finally, they arrived at Maddison's common room passageway, and she gazed at the entrance before turning her attention to Mason.
With a gentle motion, Maddison withdrew her hand from Mason's and brought her palms up to cup his cheeks, drawing him closer to her. Their eyes locked, and she placed a tender kiss on his cheek, her heart heavy with emotion. "Goodnight, Mase," she whispered softly, knowing that they would soon see each other again.
As she pulled back, Maddison's gaze softened, and she spoke with utmost sincerity. "I love you," she declared, her voice a mere whisper in the stillness of the night. It was a simple phrase, but it carried with it all the weight of the world, all the feelings she held for the one she loved. With a final, lingering glance, Maddison turned and made her way into her common room, her heart full of hope for the future.